Animal hoof therapeutic delivery wrap

ABSTRACT

A modular lower leg and hoof wrap configured to hold one or more therapeutic devices proximate an animal&#39;s hoof. The invention is intended primarily for use with horses. The components attach to a sole, which is intended to be positioned beneath the animal&#39;s hoof. One or more retention panels extend upward from the sole. A first wrap panel and a second wrap panel also extend upward form the sole. Elastic and VELCRO attachment features are preferably used so that each of the components may be positioned in a suitable location for a particular animal&#39;s anatomy. Other closure devices, such as buckles or snaps, could also be used.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/866,057.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of medical products. Morespecifically, the invention comprises a modular wrap configured to holdone or more therapeutic devices around an animal's lower leg and hoof.

2. Description of the Related Art

One of the present invention's primary uses is the treatment of diseasesand other conditions in the lower legs and hooves of hoofed animals suchas horses. Although the invention may be potentially applied to manydifferent animals, this disclosure uses horses in its descriptions. Thebones of a horse's hoof are suspended within the hoof by layers(“laminae”) of modified skin cells. These layers are tightly interwovenand connected together by a matrix of collagen proteins. The combinationof the layers and the matrix of linking materials create a sort of shockabsorber during motion. Several hundred pairs of interleaved laminaelink the relatively rigid hoof wall with the “coffin bone” (the thirdphalanx) of the horse's lower leg structure. The entire load of ahorse's leg must be transmitted through these connections.

The rigid hoof wall has a solid anterior wall that bends smoothly into aright lateral wall and a left lateral wall. The bottom portion of thiswall actually bears the weight of the horse against the ground. Thelowest forward portion is sometimes called the “toe” (though thisportion is not distinct from the rest of the hoof wall and justrepresents the lowest portion of the wall). The sole of the hoof is thesofter portion of the downward-facing structures lying inside theperimeter of the hoof wall. A complex relieved structure near the rearof the hoof is commonly known as the “frog.”

The hoof structure extends upward from the ground-contacting portion andis generally viewed as stopping at the “coronary band.” The coronaryband is the region where the hard hoof material emerges from the softerflesh of the leg. It is the region where the hoof material ends and thehorse's hide begins.

Horses generally do not lie down and instead remain standing even whilesleeping. Thus, the hooves bear the animal's weight continuously formost of its life. They are obviously a critical structure, and diseasesaffecting the hoofs integrity are serious. Various therapeutic devicesare used to treat diseases affecting the hoof. These include (withoutlimitation): (1) cold packs, (2) hot packs, (3) medication packsconfigured to slowly administer a specified medication, (4) ultrasonicdevices, (5) magnetic devices, and (6) light-based devices.

While an explanation of the various conditions affecting a horse's hoofand lower leg is beyond the scope of this disclosure, it may benefit thereader to understand the details of an exemplary common condition.Laminitis is a common problem in horses. This condition compromises thelinkages between the hoof wall and the coffin bone, producinginflammation and significant pain. Depending upon the severity of thedisease, the coffin bone may begin to rotate and/or sink relative to thehoof wall. Once the coffin bone's position changes significantly thelaminae may visibly separate. A horse in this state of distress istraditionally said to “founder.” It is possible for a horse in thiscondition to recover with aggressive treatment, but the mortality rateis high.

Laminitis is often caused by a condition existing elsewhere in the horse(examples being carbohydrate overload in the digestive system, colic,and untreated infections). The root cause is often treatable. However,the existence of the condition threatens to break down the hoof sstructure and the integrity of the hoof must be maintained while theroot cause is addressed.

A common symptom of laminitis is increased temperature of the hoof wall,sole, and or coronary band of the foot. It is now well understood thatreducing the hoof's temperature (sometimes in combination withanti-inflammatory drugs) has a protective effect. It is thereforedesirable to apply cooling devices to the hoof for the treatment oflaminitis. Thus, in the case of laminitis, the appropriate therapeuticdevice is some type of cooling device. However, as one with knowledge ofhorses will readily appreciate, applying such a therapeutic device andholding it in position is not a simple proposition.

First, a horse is a large and powerful animal that does not like to haveforeign objects attached to its hooves. Second, it is generallyimportant for the horse to remain on its feet and moving (albeit likelywithin a confined area) during the treatment regimen. Thus, anytherapeutic device must preferably be very securely fastened to the hoofyet still allow the horse to move freely.

The present invention seeks to provide the desired therapeutic effect byplacing one or more therapeutic devices against the hoof. An exemplarytherapeutic device is a cold pack configured to remove heat from theaffected area. Cold packs are often used for cryo therapy. These areplaced on the affected anatomy and held in position using compressivewraps or other known techniques. Some products use ice pellets. “Gelpacks” may be substituted for the ice in some applications. Another lesscommon approach is the use of cooled fluid (often water) circulatedthrough a sealed bladder which is placed in contact with the affectedarea.

The use of gel packs in cryo therapy has several known disadvantages.Gel packs do not undergo a phase change when they are removed from thefreezer and placed on the animal. They may initially be well below 0degrees Celsius and may produce frostbite if placed directly againstliving tissue. As a result, gel packs must often be separated fromliving tissue by a layer of appropriately insulating material. Thus, itis often necessary to use an insulating layer which provides some (butnot too much) insulation.

In addition, gel packs have a fairly limited heat absorption capacity.Since a phase change does not occur during use, the absorption is basedon the increase in the temperature of the gel material itself. As thoseskilled in the art will know, a phase change typically produces afive-fold increase in heat absorption per unit mass.

Some cooling packs use ice, introducing other known disadvantages. Icepacks often freeze together into aggregated clumps, making themdifficult to apply to curved surfaces. In addition, both theconventional ice packs and the gel packs are difficult to remove andreplace. Such packs must be frequently exchanged for fresh ones in orderto make the cryo therapy effective. One set of packs is typicallyapplied while one or more other sets of packs are cooling in a nearbyfreezer. The packs must be exchanged for new ones once they reach anineffective temperature (typically about 5-12 degrees Celsius). Thisprocess is made more difficult when the objective is applying the packto a horse's hoof, where frequent changes are obviously undesirable.

The present invention is able to position and retain practically anydesired therapeutic device, including a cold pack containing a suitablecooling medium. The preferred cooling medium is one that freezes betweenabout minus 5 degrees Celsius and about +5 degrees Celsius. Such amedium can absorb considerable heat via the phase change from a solid toa liquid. In addition, such a cooling medium poses little risk of tissuedamage (as it will remain at its melting temperature until all themedium has transitioned from a solid to a liquid).

The solid phase of the cooling medium is also significant. It isobviously undesirable for a bag of liquid cooling medium to freeze intoa solid block. Rather, it is desirable to have a relatively soft andmalleable consistency so that the pack may be bent around the contoursof the affected anatomy. It is therefore preferable to have the phasechange transition into a highly structured crystalline form akin tosnow. The bag of frozen cooling medium will then be soft and malleable.It will also maintain a surface contact temperature between about 0degrees and 5 degrees Celsius.

A valve must generally be included within the enclosing bag for such amedium. This valve admits ambient air as the crystalline structure formsand the bag expands. The valve is configured to allow air to escape whenthe crystalline structure melts, without allowing the escape of theliquid contents. A cold pack based on such a highly-crystallinestructure is able to absorb more than 5 times the heat transfer of a gelpack.

The reader should bear in mind throughout this disclosure that thepresent invention can be used with heat packs as well as cold packs.Although some known disadvantages of prior art gel packs have beendescribed, the invention may also be used with gel packs. Laminitis hasbeen presented as an example of a condition requiring cold therapy.Other conditions—such as inflammation of the connective tissues withinthe horse's lower leg—may suggest the need for heat therapy. Still otherconditions may suggest the need for other therapeutic devices such asultrasonic transducers. Thus, the invention is designed to secure anydesired type of therapeutic device against an animal's lower leg andhoof region.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention comprises a modular lower leg and hoof wrapconfigured to hold one or more therapeutic devices proximate an animal'shoof. The invention is intended primarily for use with horses. Thecomponents attach to a sole, which is intended to be positioned beneaththe animal's hoof. One or more retention panels extend upward from thesole. A first wrap panel and a second wrap panel also extend upward formthe sole. Elastic and VELCRO attachment features are preferably used sothat each of the components may be positioned in a suitable location fora particular animal's anatomy. Other closure devices, such as buckles orsnaps, could also be used.

Each therapeutic device(s) is configured to attach to an inward facingsurface of a retention panel. In use, the sole is placed beneath theanimal's hoof One or more therapeutic devices are placed against thehoof and/or adjacent structures. The one or more retention panels arethen pressed over the therapeutic devices and secured in position(Alternatively, the therapeutic devices may be secured to the retentionpanels and the devices and panels then simultaneously pressed againstthe hoof and adjacent structures).

The first (preferably posterior) wrap panel is then wrapped around theposterior portions of the retention panel/therapeutic device assemblyand secured in place. The second (preferably anterior) wrap panel iswrapped around the anterior portions of the retention panel/therapeuticdevice assembly and secured to the first wrap panel. The ordering ofsecuring the panels in place is optional and may be reversed. Thecombination of the sole, the retention panel(s), and the wrap panel(s)secures the one or more therapeutic devices to the hoof and hold theentire assembly in place so that the animal can move about withoutdislodging it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing a complete hoof wrap as it wouldbe placed around a hoof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing an exemplary sole used in themodular hoof wrap.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, showing the exemplary sole of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a bottom view, showing an exemplary tread pattern that may beused on the bottom surface of the sole.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, showing the retention panels raised andsecured together while the anterior and posterior wrap panels remainunsecured.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, showing the configuration of FIG. 5 withthe retention panels opened and laid flat.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view with a cutaway, showing a heat transferpack (in this case a cold pack).

FIG. 8 is a detailed section view, showing one method of attaching thepanels to the sole.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, showing the invention being applied to thehoof and lower leg of a horse.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, showing the assembly of FIG. 9 with theretention panels secured in place.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view, showing the assembly of FIG. 10 with theposterior wrap panel secured.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view, showing the completion of the attachmentof the invention by securing the anterior wrap panel.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

-   -   10 hoof wrap    -   12 sole    -   14 anterior wrap panel    -   16 posterior wrap panel    -   18 upper stitching slot    -   20 lower stitching slot    -   22 inclined toe    -   23 contact surface    -   24 tread pattern    -   26 wall    -   28 base    -   30 left retention panel    -   32 right retention panel    -   34 rear retention panel    -   36 hook tab    -   37 hook tab    -   38 hook tab    -   40 hook tab    -   42 hook tab    -   44 hook tab    -   46 hook tab    -   48 hook tab    -   50 hook tab    -   52 therapeutic device    -   54 filler material    -   56 perimeter seal    -   58 hook panel    -   60 stitching    -   62 pastern    -   64 cannon

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the present invention 13 hoof wrap 10—in an assembledstate. The hoof wrap includes several adjustable panels that connecttogether. The variable overlap and elastic properties of the panels maybe used to adapt the invention to differing hoof anatomy. Theconfiguration in FIG. 1 represents the invention as it would appear whenwrapped around a horse's hoof, though the hoof itself has been omittedfor purposes of visual clarity.

Sole 12 lies beneath the horse's hoof and provides a “foundation” forthe structure. The sole is preferably made of a tough but flexiblematerial, such as natural or synthetic rubber. The downward-facingsurface of the sole preferably includes no-skid features such as foundon the sole of boots.

A first wrap panel extends upward from the sole and wraps around a firstportion of the hoof when installed. A second wrap panel extends upwardfrom the sole and wraps around a second portion of the hoof. In theembodiment shown the first wrap panel is posterior wrap panel 16configured to wrap around the posterior portion of the hoof. In the sameembodiment anterior wrap panel 14 is configured to wrap around theanterior portion of the hoof. In other embodiments the two wrap panelsmay be configured as left and right lateral panels.

Portions of the two wrap panels overlap so that they can be connectedtogether. In the preferred embodiments, VELCRO attachments are used tothat the two wrap panels can be fastened in a wide variety ofoverlapping states. In addition, one or both of the wrap panels may bemade using elastic material so that they can be stretched to a desireddegree. This stretching feature allows them to conform to varying hoofanatomy and to provide inward compressive force.

Contained within the connected wrap panels are one or more retentionpanels. These are used to secure one or more therapeutic devices (suchas thermal packs or ultrasonic transducers) in a desired positionrelative to the animal's anatomy. The various panels are preferablysecured to sole 12 by stitching. Upper stitching slot 18 and lowerstitching slot 20 are provided in the sole to accommodate the stitchedconnections.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that by stretching and securingthe posterior wrap panel and the anterior wrap panel together, thecomponents contained within the wrap panels are pressed inward. Thisfacilitates the retention of the therapeutic device(s) against thedesired portion of the horse's anatomy. The reader will also appreciatethat the anterior and posterior wrap panels could be made as a singlepanel having an adjustment break in the circumference. However, the useof two panels with two adjustment breaks allows greater flexibility andease of installation—as will be explained.

Having described the invention in an assembled state, the componentparts will now be described in more detail. FIG. 2 shows sole 12 byitself. Base 28 lies directly beneath the hoof. Wall 26 extends upwardfrom base 28 and surrounds the hoof. The wall retains the sole in theproper position by surrounding the hoof.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of sole 12. In this embodimentcontact surface 23 is generally planar, but preferably includes inclinedtoe 22 (an upward sloping portion near the front of the sole). Thisshape facilitates the horse's normal walking motion. FIG. 4 is a bottomview of the sole. Tread pattern 24 may include alternating ribs andvalleys to improve skid-resistance. The tread pattern shown is oneexample of many different possibilities.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention in an assembled state. Inthis embodiment three retention panels are used—left retention panel 30,right retention panel 32, and rear retention panel 34. The lower portionof each of these panels is attached to the sole. Likewise, the lowerportion of anterior wrap panel 14 and posterior wrap panel 16 areattached to the sole. FIG. 8 shows a sectional elevation view depictingone way of attaching the flexible panels to the sole. Anterior wrappanel 14 and left retention panel 30 are connected to sole 12 by runningstitching 60 through both panels and through a portion of the sole. Thestitching is made in the two stitching slots 18, 20.

In FIG. 5 , the anterior and posterior wrap panels have been folded downflat. The three retention panels 32, 34, 36 are raised into the positionthey normal occupy when the invention is placed on a horse's hoof.

In the version shown, VELCRO loop material covers the interior andexterior of each of the retention panels. VELCRO hook tabs are alsoprovided on the retention panels. In this example, hook tab 36 on leftretention panel 30 has been pressed against the loop material on rightretention panel 32. Hook tab 38 connected to rear retention panel 34 hasalso been pressed against the loop material on right retention panel 32.The hook tabs may be provided in various locations. The objective is toprovide a secure encircling structure as shown (for an embodiment usingmultiple retention panels). Once the encircling structure is created,the majority of the outward facing surfaces are covered in VELCRO loopmaterial.

Hook tabs are preferably provided on the anterior and posterior wrappanels as well. These are positioned to engage the loop material on theoutward facing surfaces of the retention panels and/or the loop materialon the outward facing surfaces of the retention panels. Anterior wrappanel 14 has two hook tabs 40, 42 (one on each of its upper lateralextremes). Posterior wrap panel 16 actually has four hook tabs in theembodiment shown. Only two of these —44, 46—are clearly visible in FIG.5 .

FIG. 6 shows the same assembly after the three retention panels 30, 32,24 have been disconnected from each other and folded down flat. In thisview all four hook tabs 44, 46, 48, 50 on posterior wrap panel 16 arevisible. The reader will also note that rear retention panel 34 in thisexample has two hook tabs 37, 38. In order to create the encirclingassembly of the three retention panels used in this embodiment, thefollowing would be done (in no particular order): (1) hook tab 36 ispressed into the outward facing loop surface of right retention panel32; (2) hook tab 38 is pressed into the outward facing surface of rightretention panel 32; and (3) hook tab 37 is pressed into the outwardfacing surface of left retention panel 30.

The reader will observe in the example of FIG. 6 how the inward facingsurfaces of the three retention panels 30, 32, 34 are covered in VELCROloop material. This facilitates the attachment of the desiredtherapeutic device(s). FIG. 7 shows an exemplary therapeutic device.Therapeutic device 52 is in this instance a cold pack intended toextract heat from the animal and thereby cool a selected region.Perimeter seal 56 runs around the pack and creates a sealed internalvolume. The cutaway shows the contents of the internal volume.

In this preferred embodiment, a cooling media is provided within thecold pack (filler material 54). This cooling media forms a highlycrystalline structure akin to snow. It preferably freezes into thisstructure near the freeing point of water. An expansion valve isincluded in the cold pack (not shown) so that as the cooling mediafreezes and expands into a crystalline structure a significant volume ofair is drawn into the pack. The result is that the pack “inflates” intoa soft and malleable object.

When placed against an affected area needing cooling, the frozen coolingmedia is transitioned slowly into a liquid. The phase change allows eachcold pack to absorb substantially more heat transfer than a simplewarming operation (as is the case with gel packs).

The surface of therapeutic device 52 facing the viewer is provided witha pair of VELCRO hook panels in this example. These facilitate theconnection of the cold pack to the inward facing surface of one of theretention panels. Returning to FIG. 6 , the reader will observe how theinward facing surfaces of the three retention panels 30, 32, 34(actually facing upward in the view) are covered with VELCRO loopmaterial. The hook panels on an individual therapeutic device 52 can bepressed against this loop material to secure an individual cold pack toan individual retention panel.

FIGS. 9-12 show the application of the invention to a horse's hoof andlower leg structure. In FIG. 9 , sole 12 is centered under the hoof andthe horse may then place its weight on the sole and remain standing (Theinvention can also be attached with the hoof lifted free of the ground).All the panels are laid open—the two wrap panels and the three retentionpanels. A therapeutic device 52 is attached to each of the retentionpanels 30, 32, 34 by pressing the VELCRO hook panels on each therapeuticdevice (cold pack) against the loop material on the inward facingsurfaces of the retention panels. The sole is sized so that the lowerportion of each cold pack can be slipped into the gap between the hoofand the upstanding wall portion of the sole.

Because of variations in size from horse to horse, it may be necessaryto provide the invention in differing overall sizes. The invention mayalso be provided in differing overall heights. The embodiment shown issized to fit up and over pastern 62 and extend all the way to thevicinity of cannon 64. Other variations may be shorter or taller.

In FIG. 10 the three retention panels 30, 32, and 34 have been raised toan upright position, thereby encircling the hoof and lower legstructure. Hook tabs 36 and 38 are pressed against the loop material onright retention panel 32. Hook tab 37 (not visible in the view) on rearretention panel 34 is also pressed against the loop material on leftretention panel 30. The three therapeutic devices (cold packs) arethereby pressed against the horse's hoof.

It is desirable to further secure the invention in place and provideadditional inward compressive force. The two wrap panels are configuredto provide these features. In FIG. 11 , posterior wrap panel 16 israised and wrapped around the posterior portion of the assembly. Itsfour hook tabs 44, 46, 48, 50 are pressed against the loop material onthe retention panels in order to secure the posterior wrap panel inplace. The posterior wrap panel is preferably made of elastic materialso that it can be pulled and stretched before pressing the hook tabsinto position. Anterior wrap panel is then ready to complete theprocess.

In the view of FIG. 11 , anterior wrap panel 14 is lifted upward and itstwo upper lateral extremes are passed around the assembly. FIG. 12 showsa view of the same assembly from the rear. Anterior wrap panel has beenpulled into position. One hook tab 42 has been secured to the loopmaterial on the retention panels. The other hook tab 40 has been securedto the loop material on the outward facing surface of anterior wrappanel 14 itself. As for the posterior wrap panel, the anterior wrappanel is preferably made of elastic material so that it can be stretchedinto a desired position prior to affixing the hook tabs. The combinationof the two wrap panels thereby provides a high-adjustable amount ofinward compressive force. This inward compressive force tends to retainthe assembly on the horse's hoof while also compressing the cold packsthemselves against the area needing cooling.

The reader should bear in mind that other embodiments may not configurethe first and second wrap panels in an anterior/posterior configuration.For instance, one could also configure them in a left lateral and rightlateral configuration. One could also position the wrap panels at anintermediation position around the circumference of the sole. All thesevariations are within the scope of the invention, as well as othervariations.

When the therapeutic device being applied is either hot or cold therapy,it is necessary to periodically replace the heat transfer packs. A freshset of packs will usually be swapped for the ones already on the animal.The process described for FIGS. 9-12 is simply reversed to expose thepacks (The state shown in FIG. 9 ). The old packs are pulled free andnew packs are pressed into position. The device is then closed backaround the hoof and lower leg as described previously.

The exemplary embodiments described preferably include one or more ofthe following features:

1. The sole is made of a high-friction substance that limits slipbetween the sole and the ground and limits slip between the hoof and thesole;

2. The sole is made of a pliable material so that it conforms to theshape of the horse's hoof and does not produce undue pressureconcentrations on the horse's hoof;

3. The retention panels are configured to accept multiple therapeuticdevices and possibly multiple different types of therapeutic devices.With this configuration the same inventive wrap can be used to applydifferent types of therapeutic devices;

4. The wrap panels can be stretched in order to conform to variations inhoof geometry and to provide a variation in the amount of compressiveforce provided;

5. The use of VELCRO hook and loop attachments allow many variations inthe shape of the closed structure.

In addition, alternate embodiments could include the following features:

1. The therapeutic devices could include hot packs in addition to coldpacks, with the hot packs adding heat to a desired area rather thanextracting heat from it;

2. Buckle fasteners could be used instead of VELCRO;

3. Snap fasteners could be used instead of VELCRO;

4. Zippers could be used instead of single-point fasteners;

5. Some of the panels could be made from inelastic material;

6. An outer layer of abrasion-resistant material could be used;

7. A circulation-based heating or cooling system could be used in whicha liquid cooling media is pumped through a jacket contained within theretention panels;

8. The therapeutic devices could include ultrasonic transducers,trans-dermal medication packs, magnetic devices, light-based devices,and other types of devices.

Although the preceding descriptions present considerable detail theyshould be properly viewed as illustrating embodiments of the presentinvention rather than limiting the scope of the invention. Many moreembodiments following the same principles will occur to those skilled nthe art. As an example, the actual panel configuration used to createthe inventive hoof wrap could be altered in many ways. Accordingly, thescope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims ratherthan by the examples given.

Having described our invention, we claim:
 1. A method of applyingthermal therapy to an animal's hoof, pastern, and cannon, said hoofincluding a hoof sole, comprising: (a) providing a hoof wrap including,(i) a sole having a base configured to lie beneath said hoof sole, saidbase having a perimeter, said sole having a wall extending upward fromsaid base around said perimeter, with said wall and said base combiningto create a cavity configured to receive a lower portion of said hoof,(ii) said wall having an inward facing surface, (iii) a plurality offlexible retention panels extending upward from said sole, with a lowerportion of each of said retention panels being joined to said sole andlying proximate said inward facing surface of said wall, (iv) aninward-facing side of each of said retention panels being covered inhook-and-loop material, (v) an anterior wrap panel made of elasticmaterial extending upward from said sole, with a lower portion of saidanterior wrap panel being joined to said sole, (vi) a posterior wrappanel made of elastic material extending upward from said sole, with alower portion of said posterior wrap panel being joined to said sole;(b) providing a cold pack, having a hook-and-loop panel; (c) placingsaid animal's hoof on said sole with said wall of said sole surroundingsaid lower portion of said hoof; (d) attaching said cold pack to one ofsaid retention panels by pressing said hook-and-loop panel on said coldpack against said hook-and-loop covering on said retention panels; (e)raising said retention panels upward and linking them together so thatthey encircle said hoof, pastern and cannon, with said cold pack beingtrapped between said linked retention panels and said hoof, pastern, andcannon in a stable configuration; (f) raising said posterior wrap paneland stretching said posterior wrap panel before securing said posteriorwrap panel to said encircled retention panels; and (g) raising saidanterior wrap panel and stretching said anterior wrap panel beforesecuring said anterior wrap panel to said posterior wrap panel.
 2. Themethod of applying thermal therapy as recited in claim 1, wherein: (a)outward facing surfaces of said retention panels are covered in loopmaterial; (b) said posterior wrap panel is provided with an upper rightlateral hook tab and an upper left lateral hook tab; and (c) saidposterior wrap panel is secured to said encircled retention panels bypulling and stretching said posterior wrap panel and then pressing saidupper right lateral hook tab and said upper left lateral hook tab onsaid posterior wrap panel against said loop material on said outwardfacing surfaces of said retention panels.
 3. The method of applyingthermal therapy as recited in claim 2, wherein: (a) an outward facingsurface of said posterior wrap panel is covered in loop material; (b)said anterior wrap panel is provided with an upper right lateral hooktab and an upper left lateral hook tab; and (c) said anterior wrap panelis secured to said posterior wrap panel by pulling and stretching saidanterior wrap panel and then pressing said upper right lateral hook taband said upper left lateral hook tab on said anterior wrap panel againstsaid loop material on said outward facing surfaces of said posteriorwrap panel.
 4. The method of applying thermal therapy as recited inclaim 3 wherein said first wrap panel includes four hook tabs.
 5. Themethod of applying thermal therapy as recited in claim 1, wherein saidhoof is standing on said sole while said retention panels, saidposterior wrap panel, and said anterior wrap panel are secured in place.6. The method of applying thermal therapy as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid base and said wall of said sole are molded as one integral piece.7. The method of applying thermal therapy as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid retention panels are linked together using hook-and-loop tabs. 8.The method of applying thermal therapy as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid posterior wrap panel includes four hook tabs.
 9. A method ofapplying thermal therapy to an animal's hoof, said hoof including a hoofsole, comprising: (a) providing a hoof wrap including, (i) a sole havinga base configured to lie beneath said hoof sole, said base having aperimeter, said sole having a wall extending upward from said basearound said perimeter, with said wall and said base combining to createa cavity configured to receive a lower portion of said hoof, (ii) saidwall having an inward facing surface, (iii) a plurality of flexibleretention panels extending upward from said sole, with a lower portionof each of said retention panels being joined to said sole and lyingproximate said inward facing surface of said wall, (iv) an inward-facingside of each of said retention panels being covered in hook-and-loopmaterial, (v) a first wrap panel made of elastic material extendingupward from said sole, with a lower portion of said first wrap panelbeing joined to said sole, (vi) a second wrap panel made of elasticmaterial extending upward from said sole, with a lower portion of saidsecond wrap panel being joined to said sole; (b) providing a thermalpack, having a hook-and-loop panel; (c) placing said animal's hoof onsaid sole with said wall of said sole surrounding said lower portion ofsaid hoof; (d) attaching said thermal pack to one of said retentionpanels by pressing said hook-and-loop panel on said thermal pack againstsaid hook-and-loop covering on said retention panels; (e) raising saidretention panels upward and linking them together so that they encirclesaid hoof with said thermal pack being trapped between said linkedretention panels and said hoof; (f) raising said first wrap panel andstretching said first wrap panel before securing said first wrap panelto said encircled retention panels; and (g) raising said second wrappanel and stretching said second wrap panel before securing said secondwrap panel to said first wrap panel.
 10. The method of applying thermaltherapy as recited in claim 9, wherein: (a) outward facing surfaces ofsaid retention panels are covered in loop material; (b) said first wrappanel is provided with an upper right lateral hook tab and an upper leftlateral hook tab; and (c) said first wrap panel is secured to saidencircled retention panels by pulling and stretching said first wrappanel and then pressing said upper right lateral hook tab and said upperleft lateral hook tab on said first wrap panel against said loopmaterial on said outward facing surfaces of said retention panels. 11.The method of applying thermal therapy as recited in claim 10, wherein:(a) an outward facing surface of said first wrap panel is covered inloop material; (b) said second wrap panel is provided with an upperright lateral hook tab and an upper left lateral hook tab; and (c) saidsecond wrap panel is secured to said first wrap panel by pulling andstretching said second wrap panel and then pressing said upper rightlateral hook tab and said upper left lateral hook tab on said secondwrap panel against said loop material on said outward facing surfaces ofsaid first wrap panel.
 12. The method of applying thermal therapy asrecited in claim 9, wherein said hoof is standing on said sole whilesaid retention panels, said first wrap panel, and said second wrap panelare secured in place.
 13. The method of applying thermal therapy asrecited in claim 9 wherein said base and said wall of said sole aremolded as one integral piece.
 14. The method of applying thermal therapyas recited in claim 9 wherein said retention panels are linked togetherusing hook-and-loop tabs.
 15. A method of applying thermal therapy to ananimal's hoof, said hoof including a hoof sole, comprising: (a)providing a hoof wrap including, (i) a sole having a base configured tolie beneath said hoof sole, said base having a perimeter, said solehaving a wall extending upward from said base around said perimeter,with said wall and said base combining to create a cavity configured toreceive a lower portion of said hoof, (ii) said wall having an inwardfacing surface, (iii) a plurality of flexible retention panels extendingupward from said sole, with a lower portion of each of said retentionpanels being joined to said sole and lying proximate said inward facingsurface of said wall, (iv) an inward-facing side of each of saidretention panels being covered in hook-and-loop material, (v) a firstwrap panel made of elastic material extending upward from said sole,with a lower portion of said first wrap panel being joined to said sole,(vi) a second wrap panel made of elastic material extending upward fromsaid sole, with a lower portion of said second wrap panel being joinedto said sole; (b) providing a thermal pack, having a hook-and-looppanel; (c) laying said retention panels and said first and second wrappanels in an open state; (d) placing said animal's hoof on said solewith said wall of said sole surrounding said lower portion of said hoof;(e) attaching said thermal pack to one of said retention panels bypressing said hook-and-loop panel on said thermal pack against saidhook-and-loop covering on said retention panels; (f) raising saidretention panels upward and linking them together so that they encirclesaid hoof with said thermal pack being trapped between said linkedretention panels and said hoof; (g) raising said first wrap panel andstretching said first wrap panel before securing said first wrap panelto said encircled retention panels; and (h) raising said second wrappanel and stretching said second wrap panel before securing said secondwrap panel to said first wrap panel.
 16. The method of applying thermaltherapy as recited in claim 15, wherein: (a) outward facing surfaces ofsaid retention panels are covered in loop material; (b) said first wrappanel is provided with an upper right lateral hook tab and an upper leftlateral hook tab; and (c) said first wrap panel is secured to saidencircled retention panels by pulling and stretching said first wrappanel and then pressing said upper right lateral hook tab and said upperleft lateral hook tab on said first wrap panel against said loopmaterial on said outward facing surfaces of said retention panels. 17.The method of applying thermal therapy as recited in claim 16, wherein:(a) an outward facing surface of said first wrap panel is covered inloop material; (b) said second wrap panel is provided with an upperright lateral hook tab and an upper left lateral hook tab; and (c) saidsecond wrap panel is secured to said first wrap panel by pulling andstretching said second wrap panel and then pressing said upper rightlateral hook tab and said upper left lateral hook tab on said secondwrap panel against said loop material on said outward facing surfaces ofsaid first wrap panel.
 18. The method of applying thermal therapy asrecited in claim 15, wherein said hoof is standing on said sole whilesaid retention panels, said first wrap panel, and said second wrap panelare secured in place.
 19. The method of applying thermal therapy asrecited in claim 15 wherein said base and said wall of said sole aremolded as one integral piece.
 20. The method of applying thermal therapyas recited in claim 15 wherein said retention panels are linked togetherusing hook-and-loop tabs.